Principal, Managing Director Of Perkins &Will
Richard created inclusive workplaces that start with leadership and structures that support it, like a J.E.D.I. council (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) and a Talent Stream group. These ensure a diversity of voices is heard and hold the firm accountable to inclusive principles. He also shared a heartfelt life philosophy: “When you succeed, be humble and appreciate that it takes a team. When you get a failure, don’t dwell on it, but understand your role in it.” On the lighter side, his first weeks designing a porte-cochère in Singapore threatened to become a design disaster, until he learned his plan unintentionally resembled gravestones at a Chinese cemetery. He took it in stride, and he shares it now with warmth and poise.